Who should buy a D700?

The Nikon D700 offers a boat-load of features previously the exclusive domain of the D3 and D300 cameras and manages to pack it all in a D300-style body with a $2,000 savings added as incentive. Just like someone said: “With a Nikon D300 and Nikon D700 you would have high ISO, long reach, wide angle FX capability, and two semi-pro bodies that share accessories. Nikon is just filling in the gaps between their models so this is a body for everyone. It could also be a great 2nd body for D3 users who want two cameras that are both FX but one which is smaller and lighter”, it’s a new camera Nikon made for people looking for FX in a semi-pro body.

The headline feature of the D700 is of course its full-frame sensor, with the same 8.45-micron pixel pitch and 12-channel data readout from D3. As a result, the D700 has the D3’s renowned image quality at high ISO, but in a smaller, more affordable form factor. Like the D3, ISO ranges from 200 to 6,400, with Lo 1 (100), Hi 1 (12,800), and Hi 2 (25,600). We’ve noted a few differences in overall performance from the D3’s images, however, with a little better control over red saturation, and detail in the JPEGs that resembles what you get from well-processed NEF files from the D3. The D700 also features the same innovative EXPEED high-speed image-processing system, 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit processing pipeline to provide the detail and smooth gradation necessary for outstanding print enlargement and reproduction.The D300’s Integrated Dust Reduction made it into the full-frame D700 as well.

Also pulled from the D3 bag of tricks is the same Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module featuring 51 AF points, the Virtual Horizon Indicator from the D3 (which is now active in Live View mode as well), the two Live View modes (Handheld and Tripod),the high-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with tempered glass providing a 170 degree viewing angle.

The Nikon D700 additionally shares a number of features with both the D3 and D300. All three sport a powerful 51-point AF system, a high resolution 3in VGA monitor with Live View, the same 1005-pixel metering system, along with an HDMI port for connection to HDTVs – albeit using a mini-jack on the D700. All three are also very tough, offering resistance to dust and moisture.

Much has also been written about how the D700’s continuous shooting and viewfinder are inferior to the D3, the Nikon D700 offers 5fps continuous shooting compared to the D3’s 9fps,but add the optional MB-D10 battery pack and EN-EL4a battery to the D700 body and this can jump back up to 8fps.

Unlike Canon’s full-frame models you can still use lenses designed for cropped bodies on the D700. Fit a DX lens and you can either shoot in a cropped 5.1 Megapixel mode, or with the full sensor area and resolution – albeit with a reduction in quality beyond the DX frame.

Then, who should buy a D700? It’s for anyone who wants to shoot handheld in low light (at higher ISOs than you would ever consider with a D300, like 6400 ISO). It’s for anyone who really wants the advantage of shooting with a 35mm-sized full-frame sensor, and it’s for anyone who just wants better looking images than they’re getting now with a D300 or lower. So, in short, if you’ve dreamed of a D3 without the D3 pricetag, your dreams have finally come true in the Nikon D700.